How to open Windows 11 Command Prompt as Administrator

The Command Prompt in Windows 11 is a tool that allows you to run programs and change settings by typing commands into windows.

Compared to similar features in the Windows GUI interface, command-line applications run from the command prompt usually provide more options and detailed features when performing tasks.

For example, you can copy folders and files, run PowerShell scripts, or even query network configuration information and specific computer details from the Command Prompt.

When you open Command Prompt, any command you run will execute under the security rights of the logged-in user. Therefore, if you try to run a command-line program that requires Administrator privileges, you won't be able to do so and will be shown an 'Access denied' message or other errors, as shown below.

However, it's possible to open Command Prompt with Administrator privileges, allowing you to run any command you wish, which we can explain below.

How to Open CMD With Administrator Privileges in Windows 11

To open Command Prompt in Windows 11 with Administrator privileges, you need to open Command Prompt in a specific way.

First, click the Start menu and type 'cmd' in the search box. Then, when the search result for 'Command Prompt' appears, right-click on it and select Run as administrator, as shown below.

When you select Run as administrator, Windows 11 will display a User Account Control prompt asking if you want 'Windows Command Processor' to make changes to your device.

At this prompt, click the Yes button.

Once you click Yes, the Windows 11 Administrator Command Prompt will open.

You can tell that Command Prompt is running with Administrator privileges because the window title will state "Administrator: Command Prompt," and you will be in the C:\Windows\System32 directory, as shown below.

As noted earlier, the Administrator Command Prompt will start in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, not your User Profile (C:\Users\[username]).

Since this is a very sensitive folder with files required for Windows to function properly, you are advised to change your user profile.

To do this, type cd %userprofile% and press the enter key on your keyboard.

In this Elevated Command Prompt, you can now launch programs or access files that require admin rights.